What is the American Dream? How does Gatsby represent this dream? Does the novel praise or condemn Gatsby's dream? Has the American dream changed since Gatsby's time?
The American Dream has always been the same regardless of what time period it is. The American Dream, is to become wealthy, have a family, enjoy freedom, and to be healthy. Others might say money isn't part of the ultimate American Dream but in reality they are illogical because without money, you cannot support a family or be able to pay for sicknesses you may come across. Money isn't happiness, but it has the power to provide and support what makes people happy in life. Gatsby represents the American Dream because he is rich, owns an awesome and expensive Rolls Royce, has a mansion, and also his fame. The only thing missing from his American Dream, is his woman and a family.
Daisy has been on his mind and he fought to get her. His goal was to start a relationship and he set all his sights and efforts on her. Throwing parties and showing off didn't really get him anywhere in life, although he did have a heart and tried to make others feel happy. We believe that this novel condemns Gatsby's dream because all his life he had everything he wanted; money, a mansion, parties, sweet cars, and fame, which in the end didn't support his dream. He lost the girl, and he lost his life. The author definitely tried to expose that money actually isn't everything if you don't respect having that luxury. I don't think the American Dream has changed since Gatsby's time because our country hasn't changed that much over the years if you really think about it, and the way an American is raised, usually they have high ambitions and others have always seen the opportunities one can have in America for the duration of the whole 20th century.
SOMETIMES IT JUST ISN'T ENOUGH
Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?
Gatsby and Tom are different in their wealths in many ways. Tom and Daisy are considered to be the ones with "old money", while Gatsby is portrayed to have "new money". That being said, Tom and Daisy are in East Egg with a smaller house and a less respected landscape in comparison to the properties in West Egg where Gatsby lives. Gatsby owns a huge mansion and is surrounded by classy and extravagant homes just like his, while Tom and Daisy live in a large house but next to many vacation homes for rent and isn't as high of class as the homes in East Egg.
Tom is a much more stuck up and stingy person that likes everything to be in order and nothing to be fun or out of the ordinary. Gatsby on the other hand loves to party and have a good time, even when he is in the upper class. The geography difference is basically the surrounding property and the locations of East and West Egg. Although Gatsby does have a more luxurious and impressive house than Tom, Tom still has the girl Gatsby has been chasing his whole life. Overall, we think that Gatsby is of a lower class just because his manners and decisions aren't as rational and right as the ones Tom and Daisy choose to follow. Let's just say, Tom and Daisy are much more sophisticated...
----------------------------------------WOW--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ya nice, but not that impressive--------------------
What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great?
Obviously in the title the meaning is how Gatsby is supposed to be "great". Gatsby is great for his upbeat attitude, his achievements to get him so much money in life (which is a mystery as to where he got his wealth), and his goals to make others happy. He welcomed people into his home and let them party like animals. Gatsby showed off his wealth and his fortunes, and in a way, I think the author could be using sarcasm in the title. My support for that observation is that in the story Gatsby is rich and famous which makes him believe he is hot stuff, when in reality he is a showoff. His cockiness and gloating makes people say to themselves, "There goes the Great Gatsby again, so valiant and honorable....pshh who am I kidding, what a donkey." We tried to include an example of how the title can be used with sarcasm. Overall, Gatsby is great for his ambition and success in life, but he is high headed and a little too proud.
The American Dream has always been the same regardless of what time period it is. The American Dream, is to become wealthy, have a family, enjoy freedom, and to be healthy. Others might say money isn't part of the ultimate American Dream but in reality they are illogical because without money, you cannot support a family or be able to pay for sicknesses you may come across. Money isn't happiness, but it has the power to provide and support what makes people happy in life. Gatsby represents the American Dream because he is rich, owns an awesome and expensive Rolls Royce, has a mansion, and also his fame. The only thing missing from his American Dream, is his woman and a family.
Daisy has been on his mind and he fought to get her. His goal was to start a relationship and he set all his sights and efforts on her. Throwing parties and showing off didn't really get him anywhere in life, although he did have a heart and tried to make others feel happy. We believe that this novel condemns Gatsby's dream because all his life he had everything he wanted; money, a mansion, parties, sweet cars, and fame, which in the end didn't support his dream. He lost the girl, and he lost his life. The author definitely tried to expose that money actually isn't everything if you don't respect having that luxury. I don't think the American Dream has changed since Gatsby's time because our country hasn't changed that much over the years if you really think about it, and the way an American is raised, usually they have high ambitions and others have always seen the opportunities one can have in America for the duration of the whole 20th century.
SOMETIMES IT JUST ISN'T ENOUGH
Compare and contrast Gatsby's social class with that of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. How does geography contribute to the definition of social class in The Great Gatsby?
Gatsby and Tom are different in their wealths in many ways. Tom and Daisy are considered to be the ones with "old money", while Gatsby is portrayed to have "new money". That being said, Tom and Daisy are in East Egg with a smaller house and a less respected landscape in comparison to the properties in West Egg where Gatsby lives. Gatsby owns a huge mansion and is surrounded by classy and extravagant homes just like his, while Tom and Daisy live in a large house but next to many vacation homes for rent and isn't as high of class as the homes in East Egg.
Tom is a much more stuck up and stingy person that likes everything to be in order and nothing to be fun or out of the ordinary. Gatsby on the other hand loves to party and have a good time, even when he is in the upper class. The geography difference is basically the surrounding property and the locations of East and West Egg. Although Gatsby does have a more luxurious and impressive house than Tom, Tom still has the girl Gatsby has been chasing his whole life. Overall, we think that Gatsby is of a lower class just because his manners and decisions aren't as rational and right as the ones Tom and Daisy choose to follow. Let's just say, Tom and Daisy are much more sophisticated...
----------------------------------------WOW--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ya nice, but not that impressive--------------------
What is the meaning of the title? In what way is Gatsby great?
Obviously in the title the meaning is how Gatsby is supposed to be "great". Gatsby is great for his upbeat attitude, his achievements to get him so much money in life (which is a mystery as to where he got his wealth), and his goals to make others happy. He welcomed people into his home and let them party like animals. Gatsby showed off his wealth and his fortunes, and in a way, I think the author could be using sarcasm in the title. My support for that observation is that in the story Gatsby is rich and famous which makes him believe he is hot stuff, when in reality he is a showoff. His cockiness and gloating makes people say to themselves, "There goes the Great Gatsby again, so valiant and honorable....pshh who am I kidding, what a donkey." We tried to include an example of how the title can be used with sarcasm. Overall, Gatsby is great for his ambition and success in life, but he is high headed and a little too proud.
Works Cited
Photo. Money... Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.topnews.in/files/Khali.jpg>
Photo. Sad Clown. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://media.photobucket.com/image/sad%20clown/jadedpessimist/51321746SadClown_sat.jpg>
Photo. Blithewood Mansion. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/photography/blithewood_mansion_1.jpg>
Photo. Big House. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.pennforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/BigHouseBlueSky.jpg>
Photo. The Great Khali. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.topnews.in/files/Khali.jpg>
"Lisa Evers - The 50 Cent Mansion Party" You Tube. 28 September 2007. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khz4o>
"Hugh Laurie-The Sophisticated Song" You Tube. 23 February 2006. Web. 18 March. 2010. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBw4NYA>